COMEDY IMPROV CLASSES
| Real people. Funny people. Real funny people. |
Comedy Improv Classes:
The Training Program, facilitated by Meathands Director, Bill Johnson is designed to be a
dynamic learning environment accessible to anyone dedicated to serious study while
progressively challenging students of all levels.
The core curriculum for the workshops is founded on the The Five Progressive Values
of Improvisation© developed by Bill Johnson. These values, also called "The Five B's",
can be applied not only for improv comedy performance but also in building business
communication and life skills.
Particular focus is placed on individual growth. After every eight weeks of study, students
are invited to sit down with the instructor one-on-one where they can receive feedback and
specific direction for continued study.
The Training Program, facilitated by Meathands Director, Bill Johnson is designed to be a
dynamic learning environment accessible to anyone dedicated to serious study while
progressively challenging students of all levels.
The core curriculum for the workshops is founded on the The Five Progressive Values
of Improvisation© developed by Bill Johnson. These values, also called "The Five B's",
can be applied not only for improv comedy performance but also in building business
communication and life skills.
Particular focus is placed on individual growth. After every eight weeks of study, students
are invited to sit down with the instructor one-on-one where they can receive feedback and
specific direction for continued study.
"Everyone can act, everyone can improvise. Anyone who wishes can play in the theater and learn to become 'stageworthy'." -Viola Spolin |
| Level One - Values Workshop | Level Two - Skills Workshop | Performer's Workshop | "The Improv Student Medley" |
Level One - Values Workshop
Tuesday Nights 7pm - 10pm; Saturday Afternoons 1pm - 4pm
Location: Westview School; Room 104 (Yoga/Dance Room);
11801 Mississippi Ave; West LA, CA 90025
Instructor: Bill Johnson
Prerequisite study: None
The level one workshop is perfect for newcomers to improv comedy and
prospective students with limited improv training. In this workshop the
Five B's are broken down into lessons to help improvisers strength their
foundational understanding of improvisation in preparation for eventual
long form study.
Tuesday Nights 7pm - 10pm; Saturday Afternoons 1pm - 4pm
Location: Westview School; Room 104 (Yoga/Dance Room);
11801 Mississippi Ave; West LA, CA 90025
Instructor: Bill Johnson
Prerequisite study: None
The level one workshop is perfect for newcomers to improv comedy and
prospective students with limited improv training. In this workshop the
Five B's are broken down into lessons to help improvisers strength their
foundational understanding of improvisation in preparation for eventual
long form study.
Level Two - Skills Workshop
Monday Nights 7pm - 10pm; Wednesday Nights 7pm - 10pm
Location: Westview School; Room 104 (Yoga/Dance Room); 11801 Mississippi Ave;
West LA, CA 90025
Instructor: Bill Johnson
Prerequisite study: Approval by Instructor
The level two workshop trains students with previous improv performance experience in
the Empty Stage style of Long Form Comedy Improvisation. In addition to strengthening
a students' competency in the Five Progressive Values, six new skills are taught and
reinforced.
Monday Nights 7pm - 10pm; Wednesday Nights 7pm - 10pm
Location: Westview School; Room 104 (Yoga/Dance Room); 11801 Mississippi Ave;
West LA, CA 90025
Instructor: Bill Johnson
Prerequisite study: Approval by Instructor
The level two workshop trains students with previous improv performance experience in
the Empty Stage style of Long Form Comedy Improvisation. In addition to strengthening
a students' competency in the Five Progressive Values, six new skills are taught and
reinforced.
"Performer's Workshop" (Summer Session '08)
Saturdays, August 2 - 23, 4pm - 7pm
Location: Westview School, Los Angeles, CA
Instructor: Bill Steinkellner
Prerequisite study: completion of competencies for Skills Workshop
The Performer’s Workshop serves as a periodic in-service training
opportunity for performers in the Magic Meathands Main Company and is
open to alumni of the Level 1 & 2 workshops. The summer session will
feature guest instructor Bill Steinkellner, Emmy Award winning executive
producer/writer for the legendary sitcom Cheers and creator of the
“Insta-Play” Long form improv. Bill Steinkellner has trained and directed
such performers and writers as Actress Lisa Kudrow (Friends/Opposite of
Sex), Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers movies/The Groundlings), Jonathan
Saturdays, August 2 - 23, 4pm - 7pm
Location: Westview School, Los Angeles, CA
Instructor: Bill Steinkellner
Prerequisite study: completion of competencies for Skills Workshop
The Performer’s Workshop serves as a periodic in-service training
opportunity for performers in the Magic Meathands Main Company and is
open to alumni of the Level 1 & 2 workshops. The summer session will
feature guest instructor Bill Steinkellner, Emmy Award winning executive
producer/writer for the legendary sitcom Cheers and creator of the
“Insta-Play” Long form improv. Bill Steinkellner has trained and directed
such performers and writers as Actress Lisa Kudrow (Friends/Opposite of
Sex), Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers movies/The Groundlings), Jonathan
"The Improv Student Medley"
Every Second Saturday of the month from 8pm - 10pm
Location: The Spot Cafe and Lounge; 4455 Overland Ave (between
Culver and Jefferson), Culver City, CA 90230
The Student Medley is an evening of free performances by participants
from all of the workshops facilitated by Meathands director, Bill Johnson.
Students in the Level 1 "Values Workshop" perform a 20-25 minute
exhibition of scene-based short forms, while students from the Level 2
"Skills Workshop" explore long form in a 30-35 minute set.
Every Second Saturday of the month from 8pm - 10pm
Location: The Spot Cafe and Lounge; 4455 Overland Ave (between
Culver and Jefferson), Culver City, CA 90230
The Student Medley is an evening of free performances by participants
from all of the workshops facilitated by Meathands director, Bill Johnson.
Students in the Level 1 "Values Workshop" perform a 20-25 minute
exhibition of scene-based short forms, while students from the Level 2
"Skills Workshop" explore long form in a 30-35 minute set.
Copyright © 2007 Bill Johnson Productions. All rights reserved.
The Magic Meathands is a registered trademark of Bill Johnson Productions.
Website created by Mike Thompson.
The Magic Meathands is a registered trademark of Bill Johnson Productions.
Website created by Mike Thompson.
Prospective students are invited to drop in and audit a class. During this free audit, prospective students are encouraged to participate
in various improv exercises.
See below for a description of the workshops. To schedule a free audit, contact 310-600-6109 or Bill@MagicMeathands.com.
in various improv exercises.
See below for a description of the workshops. To schedule a free audit, contact 310-600-6109 or Bill@MagicMeathands.com.
These sessions focus on improvisation as an art form separate from the art of comedy in order to help students ultimately put these two
rich art forms together in an effective way. The values of listening and agreement are heavily emphasized as the instinctual anchors of
an improviser’s craft.
Students are offered the opportunity to perform for a live audience once per eight-week session as part of the
"Improv Student Medley".
Cost: $275 / 8-week session
rich art forms together in an effective way. The values of listening and agreement are heavily emphasized as the instinctual anchors of
an improviser’s craft.
Students are offered the opportunity to perform for a live audience once per eight-week session as part of the
"Improv Student Medley".
Cost: $275 / 8-week session
Students begin learning the basics to Long Form while participating in the monthly "Improv Student Medley".
Students determined by the instructor to have matured to advanced consistency in the Five Progressive Values and display competency
in the six skills become eligible for membership with the Magic Meathands Main Company and gain access to advanced performance
study with various specialized instructors.
Cost: $275 / 8-week session
Students determined by the instructor to have matured to advanced consistency in the Five Progressive Values and display competency
in the six skills become eligible for membership with the Magic Meathands Main Company and gain access to advanced performance
study with various specialized instructors.
Cost: $275 / 8-week session
Stark (Creator of the sitcom According to Jim starring Jim Belushi) and many others.
Question: An improv scene is so full of possibilities - how does one know which way will lead to fulfilling a scene’s highest potential?
During this session Bill Steinkellner will lead participants on a journey to sharpening the skill of “exploring and heightening” the best
opportunities that the moment provides while improving acting skills in the context of live improv performance.
Cost: $140 for Main Company Members, $200 for non-member eligible performers. 4-week session
Question: An improv scene is so full of possibilities - how does one know which way will lead to fulfilling a scene’s highest potential?
During this session Bill Steinkellner will lead participants on a journey to sharpening the skill of “exploring and heightening” the best
opportunities that the moment provides while improving acting skills in the context of live improv performance.
Cost: $140 for Main Company Members, $200 for non-member eligible performers. 4-week session
Participants in the medley then review the show in detail the following week during class.
